Tennis: Australia’s Davis Cup stars praise Alex de Minaur’s tie-winning performance against Hungary

Alex de Minaur refused to do it himself, so his Australian Davis Cup teammates did the talking for him after his brilliant weekend performance

Australia’s triumphant Davis Cup members have showered Alex de Minaur with praise for his tie-saving performance against Hungary in Sydney.

The 23-year-old is the undoubted leader and No.1 player for Lleyton Hewitt’s squad as the Davis Cup legend tries to guide the country back to its past glory.

Former world No.15 de Minaur looms as the key as Hewitt builds a squad around him that continues to evolve.

He won both his singles matches but his 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 defeat of Hungarian No.1 Marton Fucsovics in a must-win contest for Australia on Saturday was the defining result of the weekend.

de Minaur’s victory gave the returning Thanasi Kokkinakis, in his first Davis Cup appearance since September 2015, the chance to clinch the host nation’s finals berth.

Australia’s Davis Cup team, from left, Luke Saville, Thanasi Kokkinakis, captain Lleyton Hewitt, Alex de Minaur, John Peers and Alexei Popyrin, qualified for the finals. Picture: Getty Images

“It was massive for ‘Demon’ to give me the chance to just go out there and give us a crack,” Kokkinakis said.

“He’s been great all week, even just from training. He raises the level of everyone and you see how much it means to him and what it takes for the opponents (to defeat him).

“It’s like beating a brick wall. You’re going to have to sustain your best for a long period of time.”

Hewitt, who holds the record for most wins and ties played for Australia, described de Minaur’s effort as “incredible” and “unbelievable”.

“Demon’s made the Davis Cup a massive priority the last few years,” Hewitt said.

Australian team captain Lleyton Hewitt was delighted with Alex de Minaur’s performance. Picture: Getty Images

Australian debutant Luke Saville also hailed de Minaur’s heroics as a player but equally as the team’s standard-bearer and inspiration.

“He’s put us on his back the last couple of days but he doesn’t praise anything of himself, his own performances,” Saville said.

“He’s the spearhead of this team; he’s amazing, (with) his support all week and, like Thanasi said, he raises the level of all the boys and then having Lleyton as well.

“He’s one of the best leaders there is. He’s done it all in Davis Cup and I think it’s amazing how he gets the group of boys together and he’s trying to really push the tradition and keep it going.”

Alex de Minaur is Australia’s Davis Cup spearhead. Picture: Getty Images

Finding the right doubles combination is still a work in progress, with John Peers’ straight-sets defeat alongside Saville being Australia’s fourth loss in the past five ties.

Peers is the sole constant in that period, as Saville, Alex Bolt, de Minaur, James Duckworth and Jordan Thompson all took their turn.

Hewitt wants to welcome Australian Open doubles champion Nick Kyrgios back into the fold, while Duckworth, Alexei Popyrin and John Millman are all hoping to challenge Kokkinakis for the No.2 singles slot.

Australia is into the Davis Cup finals round-robin stage in September, where the top two countries from each group advance to the knockout rounds in November.